Guiding the Male Lead out of His Trauma - Chapter 12.2
Since Hyacine had been oppressed the entire time in Lorraine, there was probably never any chance to just go out and enjoy himself.
Above all, this was our first time going out together since I entered the military academy.
“Then, how about we go out together for the first time in a while?”
I grinned playfully and held out my hand.
That stubborn look on his face, as if he’d follow me no matter what I said, melted away.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve gone out with you, Sister.”
We stepped outside the room and headed to the front of the mansion.
Ahem, Hyacine tried to hide his happiness and cleared his throat awkwardly.
Seeing that made me feel both touched and regretful, and I was reminded again of all that had already been resolved.
‘If I’d known he was having such a hard time, I would have brought him here sooner.’
I thought of everything Hyacine had gone through in the original story, and my feelings grew complicated.
‘No, it’s fine. I’m going to change that future.’
Hyacine, holding my hand, showed a gentle smile that was rare for him. Seeing it made me want to smile too.
“That’s better requested a little later.”
Acteon’s voice cut in.
It was so natural that even Hyacine didn’t find it odd at first. He only turned to look at him a moment later.
“Acteon?”
When did he get here?
Acteon was dressed in his usual relaxed style, a long coat thrown over his shirt.
He met my gaze and gave a bright, smiling look as a greeting.
Sure enough, Hyacine’s expression twisted instantly.
“What are you doing here?”
“What do you mean? I heard you were getting ready to go out, so I thought I’d come help, Senior.”
It suddenly reminded me of those stories where the fox follows around the person who saved it.
‘The problem is, it’s not just the fox. The cat’s here, too.’
Hyacine, who thought Acteon had ruined the rare moment of sibling peace, bristled like a cat and glared at him warily.
“We don’t need your help. Don’t think you can just butt in.”
“It’s actually better if I intervene now. Like I said, I recommend you request the carriage a little later.”
I knew that the relationship between Acteon and Hyacine wasn’t good.
‘The reason’s obvious.’
Anyone could guess how tense things had been between them during the two days I was unconscious.
Hyacine is sensitive and cautious, while Acteon is skilled at hiding his feelings and never lets outsiders in.
Both of them have difficult personalities, so it’s almost harder for them not to clash.
‘Honestly, it seems like it’s just Hyacine who has a one-sided dislike, though.’
At any rate, for Acteon, who’d been careful all week to check up on me but not be a bother, to insist like this—
“It means someone besides us is going out too.”
“Yes, that’s right.”
Acteon obediently lifted his own sleeve, saying there was a wrinkle in it, to gesture toward the culprit.
“The very person who would hate to see you both the most.”
“Aha. Cassiel.”
Wrinkle? Where?
While I was fussing with my sleeve, Acteon straightened out a button for me.
I could feel Hyacine’s sharp gaze, but this time, it was too much so I ignored it.
‘Cassiel, huh.’
Arranging a carriage could just be done through the staff, but if the two of us, who are on his bad side, made the request…
‘They’d have to prepare two carriages, so Cassiel’s servants would be notified, too.’
Ever since that first day at Brondearn, I’d avoided wandering the mansion in hopes of not running into Cassiel.
The Duke seems to like me more now since I saved Acteon, and the Duchess just seems to be going through the motions, so I didn’t mind them.
‘But Cassiel, I just can’t figure out. I doubt he’d suddenly change his attitude just because of Acteon, who’s not even directly related to him.’
That’s why I’d been avoiding him even at meals whenever possible.
And now, I’m about to run into him?
‘I have no idea what’s going to happen.’
But honestly, I don’t even want to know why Cassiel hates us.
‘Sometimes it’s best not to ask. Just avoid it if you can.’
I don’t have the energy to worry about Cassiel, too.
‘Would things have been different if it were Millia?’
Well, if it were Millia, she’d have softened Cassiel up like in the original.
‘But I have no reason to bother with that.’
So, just as Acteon suggested, I persuaded Hyacine.
“It’s not like we’re in a rush, so we can leave a little later.”
You don’t want to run into him, either.
As I gave Hyacine that look, he thought for a second, then reluctantly nodded.
“Yeah, you’re right.”
“Besides, my brother’s in a bad mood today,” Acteon added.
All the more reason to avoid him.
It’s not that you’re scared of the mess, just that it’s too unpleasant to deal with.
Still, as Cassiel’s carriage passed through the front gate, I felt a strange sense of foreboding.
Like the world was mocking me, daring me to try and get my way…
And my gut feeling wasn’t wrong.
I thought I’d avoided every possible point of contact with Cassiel, but.
* * *
“…You. What are you doing here?”
…Great, ran right into him.
“I didn’t expect to see you here, Brother.”
“It’s not so strange for a cadet to come here to pray.”
And of course, I’ve brought along the two people he finds most uncomfortable.
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